HANDLE BARS NYC - GLOBAL INC.
Frank Caiafa
Making Bars Better
Built in New York.
Sharpened over twenty five years.
Frank Caiafa founded Handle Bars NYC / Global Inc. in 2008 during a twelve-year tenure as Beverage Director of Peacock Alley and La Chine — the iconic flagship outlets of The Waldorf Astoria New York. Over that career, he built and ran one of the most recognized hotel beverage programs in the world, setting the operational, service, and creative standards that define luxury bar hospitality.
His work spans menu design, pre-opening advisement, staff training, and brand development — and it's guided by the same principle whether the client is a 10-seat cocktail bar in SoHo or a resort property in Boca Raton: the beverage program should feel intentional and give guests a reason to return.
Frank is also the author of The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book (Penguin), a 2017 James Beard Award finalist and Spirited Award nominee.
Frank's writing, recipes, reviews, and illustrations have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Whisky Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, Forbes, VinePair, Punch, Barleycorn Drinks and numerous other beverage books.
He has also served as a judge at many high-profile industry events, including blind tastings and cocktail competitions.